What are the responsibilities and job description for the Industrial Appeals Judge 4 position at State of Washington?
1/28/25 - This recruitment pool will be used for positions as they become available in Lakewood, Olympia, Renton, Spokane, and Yakima.
The Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA) is offering a challenging and rewarding opportunity for the right individual to make a difference through serving the state of Washington. Our employees are our most valuable resource: diverse, energetic, innovative thinkers who care equally about producing quality work and serving the public. A diverse workforce is critical to our success. We are committed to preserving our culture of diversity and inclusion and to providing a work environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. You can read the BIIA's Pro-Equity Anti-Racism statement here.
The BIIA is a great place to work! We offer flexibility and mobility in the workplace to enhance work/life balance, to improve wellness, and to support a productive work environment, increased job satisfaction and engagement. You can read employee testimonials on our website.
The BIIA is a great place to work! We offer flexibility and mobility in the workplace to enhance work/life balance, to improve wellness, and to support a productive work environment, increased job satisfaction and engagement. You can read employee testimonials on our website.
In addition to the great benefits provided by the State of Washington, we offer the following:
- Continuing Legal Education: We will pay for your CLEs!
- WSBA Membership: We will reimburse you for annual WSBA dues!
- Telework: Judges are eligible to telework!
The BIIA is a medium-sized state agency under the administration of three, full-time Board Members. The BIIA is independent from the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and hears appeals from decisions made by L&I in several areas. The three principal types of appeals are:
- Industrial insurance (workers' compensation).
- Safety citations under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).
- Employer Premiums (Tax Assessment or Classification).
The Industrial Appeals Judge 4s (IAJ4) typically have one of the following assignments:
Review/Mediation Judge
- Review written proposed decisions and orders of Industrial Appeals Judges, motions for stay of benefits, motions for stay of abatement, and applications for approval of claim resolution settlement agreements.
- Recommend action to the Board in written memoranda.
- Draft final orders for signature of the Board.
- Conduct mediation and settlement conferences and prepare orders on agreement of parties.
- Review communications, documents, case files, and other writings to determine the Board's jurisdiction over appeals.
- Draft legal memoranda on various legal issues.
- Advise BIIA staff on jurisdictional, scope of review, docketing, and other legal issues.
- Prepare, review, and/or revise final orders denying appeal, orders regarding jurisdiction, and final orders granting relief on the record for signature of the Board.
- Assist the Assistant Chief of New Appeals with data collection, and quality improvement initiatives.
- When assigned, review written proposed decisions and orders of Industrial Appeals Judges, motions for stay of benefits, motions for stay of abatement, and applications for approval of structured settlement agreements.
- Recommend action to the Board in written memoranda.
- Draft final orders for signature of the Board.
- When assigned, conduct mediation and settlement conferences and prepare orders on agreement of parties
- Convene conferences and show cause hearings to resolve jurisdictional questions in appeals filed with the BIIA.
- Serve as a Hearings Judge presiding over conferences and hearings where evidence is presented pursuant to Rules of Evidence and Superior Court Rules, and issuing written decisions resolving appeals filed under the Industrial Insurance Act, Crime Victims Compensation Act, Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, and other acts as determined by the Legislature.
Required Qualifications:
- Must be an active or judicial member of the Washington State Bar Association.
- Practicing attorney for at least (5) years as a member of the WSBA or other state bar association.
- Significant knowledge and experience in Washington State Industrial Insurance law.
- Significant experience as a presiding officer or attorney in proceedings before state or federal tribunals in which the rules of evidence are followed.
Desirable Qualifications:
BenefitsThe BIIA is most interested in candidates who have relevant experience, skills and abilities:
- Practicing attorney for seven or more years.
- Excellent legal writing skills.
- Clear and effective oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to research and apply appropriate laws, rules and procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct mediation conferences while maintaining order and exhibiting judicial temperament and demeanor.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain and manage a mediation caseload to effectively and efficiently use the resources of the agency.
- Demonstrated advanced litigation management skills, particularly in complex litigation involving diverse interests advocated by multiple skilled professionals.
- Demonstrated ability to rule on admissibility of evidence and procedural issues consistent with pertinent law and procedural rules and develop a record that is sufficient for decision.
- Demonstrated ability to discern and sift through jurisdictional details.
- Fluency in languages in addition to English.
- Demonstrated ability to use computers and software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other computer programs.
- Demonstrated ability to act in a professional and ethical manner and treat all people with dignity and courtesy.
- Demonstrated ability to meet performance standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
BIIA Core Competencies:
- Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions and can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little oversight.
- Adaptability to Changing Needs/Flexibility - Embraces changing business needs and adapts approach, goals, and methods to achieve success.
- Customer Focus - Builds and maintains internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization.
- Diversity and Inclusion - Recognizes the value of cultural, ethnic, gender and other individual differences. Understands differences in and responds appropriately to others.
- Effective Respectful Communications - In a respectful manner, conveys clear messages that are effective in communicating information and ideas with others.
- Ethics and Integrity - Earns trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through honesty, candor, and professionalism in all interactions.
- Relationship Building - Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of teamwork, cooperation and mutual regard.
- Safety Focus - Adhere to all workplace safety laws, regulations, standards and practices.
This position includes medical, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, deferred compensation, flexible spending account, dependent care assistance, paid time off (sick leave, vacation leave, personal holiday, personal leave day), 11 paid holidays, and an Employee Assistance Program. Tuition Reimbursement is available for eligible employees subject to guidelines and funding. You can find more information about benefits at Benefits - careers.wa.gov.
Special Notes:
- This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Association of Industrial Appeals Judges.
- Positions assigned to the Renton Office receive an additional 5% premium pay and an ORCA card.
Application Process:
Interested candidates must apply on-line and attach the following:
- A cover letter specifying how you meet the qualifications listed above (no more than two pages).
- A current resume.
- A list of at least three professional references.
Please attach the required documents in the "provide attachment" section of the online application (do not use the text resume within the application). Please do not attach transcripts. Only applicants who meet the required qualifications and submit all of the required documents will be added to the recruitment pool.
Questions? If you have any questions about the recruitment or application process, please contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 753-9639 or hroffice@biia.wa.gov.
The Washington State Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender identity/expression, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at HROffice@biia.wa.gov or call 360-753-9639.
Salary : $119,496 - $125,520
